Thomas Lowe QC

Call: 1985 QC: 2008

Practice Overview

Tom has acted in numerous reported and high-profile cases and cross-border disputes before a large variety of tribunals in a number of different jurisdictions. Much of his work stems from collapses of complex investment structures and from high-value cross-border private client disputes.

He has developed a substantial offshore practice and is one of very few barristers who have had full and not merely ad hoc practising certificates in both the BVI and the Cayman Islands. Hence he has acted for a variety of different parties in hedge fund and banking disputes. Bear Stearns, Re Sphinx, Re Medley Opportunity Fund in the Cayman Islands and Kingate Global Fund v Kingate Management Ltd in Bermuda.

He is regularly called upon to give expert evidence on both UK and offshore law in the US on matters of company law and the liability of fiduciaries.

Many of the cross-border disputes such as SAAD v AHAB have involved asset tracing in the context of commercial or financial fraud but he has had to apply this knowledge in cases in which the primary focus might be as diverse as professional negligence, financial services, shareholder disputes or even judicial review.

Tom has also been involved in a number of leading high value trust and probate cases. Although these cases or his involvement tends to be confidential, reported examples include well-known decisions such as Walker v Stones and Al Bassam in the UK, Re A v N and Re Circle Trust in the Cayman Islands and Wang Din Shan v Nina Wang in Hong Kong.

Tom is ranked as a leading silk in Chambers & Partners, 2014 where he is described as an “extremely impressive and intelligent advocate who always sees the big picture”, “he is a very clever guy“.

In previous years the directories have described him as a “tough advocate who has a real knack of getting his arms around a case.”(Chambers & Partners). Not only is he “recognised for his work on high-profile cases, including those with an offshore component” but he is also “very highly thought off – very careful and good at planning a case.” (Chambers & Partners). He is “popular with clients and has a good courtroom style” and has “an imposing presence in court.”(Chambers & Partners).

Chambers & Partners, 2016 draws much praise both for his profound knowledge of the law and for his work in the Cayman Islands. Trusts, insolvency and professional negligence matters are key components of his practice, and he is active in many offshore jurisdictions. “He has a very wide skill set and his knowledge of the market is incredible.” “If you need a safe pair of hands for a really complicated case, he is your man.”